+15 BONUS
Chapter 53
Later, Millie had no choice but to call Terence.
The man who had insisted on severing ties with her braved the story and rushed to the villa to keep her company.
The next morning, Terence cooked spaghetti bolognese for Millie, too.
However, Millie ended up having a heated argument with Terence because he had spoken ill of Winston. In the end, the spaghetti was sent flying everywhere.
At that thought, tears welled up in Millie’s eyes. She had done nothing wrong to Winston and others but had let her family down.
“Why are you crying? Is the spaghetti that good?” Terence took a bite, smacking his lips. “They’re alright. They taste just the same! But there’s no need to cry over pasta.
Millie ignored him. Her head hung low as tears would not stop flowing.
Sensing something amiss, Terence hurried to her side and asked, “What’s the matter?”
Millie raised her head. Her eyes glistened with tears, evoking a sense of pity. She could only reveal her vulnerable side before her family.
Millie hugged Terence and said, “I love you, Dad.”
Terence paused momentarily. Then, he smiled with relief. But deep down, he was overwhelmed with anguish. He thought the price Millie had paid for her to mature was too high.
“Everything will be okay,” Terence reassured her.
Millie wiped her tears away and hummed in acknowledgment.
“Mrs. Greer Senior’s birthday is just around the corner. Have you chosen a gift for her?” asked Terence.
Millie nodded.
“Since Winston hasn’t been treating you right, we’ve decided to disassociate from the Greer family. So, we won’t be attending Mrs. Greer Senior’s birthday party. You’ll be going alone.”
Selma was well–known in Yerwick City for her strong sense of pride.
Millie and Winston had not even finalized their divorce yet. If not a single member of the Caldwell family showed up at Selma’s birthday celebration, it would surely embarrass her.
Moreover, it would undoubtedly spark gossip. Yet, that was exactly what the Caldwells wanted.
Terence wanted the Greers to know that Millie had her family to back her up. She was not someone to be bullied by just anyone.
Millie understood that her father was standing up for her.
She would have gotten angry in the past, believing that Terence shouldn’t embarrass the Greer family. But now, it did not matter to her anymore.
+15 BONUS
“Okay,” Millie agreed.
“Can you handle it?”
“Of course, I can. Dad, I’ve grown up. I can handle things on my own now. Just wait and see what will happen at Mrs. Greer Senior’s birthday party,” Millie responded with a smile.
She vowed not to embarrass the Caldwells and herself.
“Now, eat up and go to bed. If there’s nothing to do tomorrow, stay home and rest. Don’t go wandering
around.”
Millie chuckled before saying, “I have matters to attend to in the day.‘
Terence stared at Millie. He was confident he knew her better than anyone else.
Judging from her smile, it seemed like she was up to something mischievous.
The next day, Joanna arrived at the bar at noon.
This time, she had learned her lesson. She did not arrive early but at 12:00 pm sharp.
When Millie saw Joanna entering the bar, she walked out of the private room, making it look like a chance meeting.
As their shoulders bumped lightly, Joanna turned to see Millie.
She was annoyed. What was Millie doing there again? It seemed like she was everywhere!
Millie made the first move by asking, “Ms. Lowell, why are you back here? Are you meeting M again?” Joanna’s expression stiffened slightly. She checked the time and figured M should be arriving soon. Since M had stood her up the day before, he would not do it again, would he?
With that in mind, Joanna casually replied, “Yes, M and I didn’t chat enough yesterday, so we’ve arranged to meet again today.”
“Well, can I see him today?” Millie squinted, looking like she was trying to curry favor.